My Endometriosis Toolkit : How I use TENS during my luteal phase.

Written by Kylie Duncan, Tap. Health Customer Service Specialist

For me, the days leading up to my period can feel like my body is putting the brakes on. My lower back and pelvis become painful, my shoulders feel tight, stiff and sore, my energy drops and even getting out of bed can feel like a bigger task than it should.

Over time, I have built myself a little toolkit to help me navigate those days. My goal is to give myself enough support to keep participating in my day. It’s about finding things that help me feel more comfortable and supported, so I can still get through the things that matter - looking after my girls, walking my dog Toffee, getting my work done and importantly, looking after myself. Here’s what a typical day can look like for me during my luteal phase.

My day usually starts with a request to my partner or daughter to pop my Tap 2.0 TENS on my back and I will lay there in bed for a good ten minutes before I can start to move around with less pain. I always keep a Tap 2.0 TENS in my top drawer in my bedside dresser along with the rest of my toolkit. Once I am up, a cup of tea is always needed. I try to ease into my day with some feel good music to wake me up in a positive frame of mind. This can take some time to reset my attitude and focus for the day after waking in pain.

Communication with my partner is key - I need help getting our girls out the door ready for school. When I am making breakfast for the family, I'll make a small meal for myself so I can get my anti-inflammatories onboard without feeling nauseous. I’m big on starting my day with protein for steady energy so a protein smoothie or eggs on gluten free sourdough are my go to. Leading up to my period I need more carbs onboard so often opt for the sourdough.

I am a tea gal so I will hydrate up large with multiple cups of endosoothe tea throughout my morning. Our local cafe next door to the Tap. head office does a dreamy dandelion latte which always makes me feel good. But also, pain makes me tired so caffeine onboard is needed. Coffee gives me the shakes so I tend to lean on English breakfast tea to keep me going.

My daily walk with my pup Toffee may be a shorter one during my luteal phase depending on how I feel but I know movement is really good for me and is a must in my routine. I love that my Tap 2.0 TENS can stay on and move with me throughout my day. 

If I am working from home I love to utilize my heat pack on my shoulders and my hot water bottle on my stomach. If I am heading into the office or I’m needing to run errands for the kids I have  been loving using the stick on heating pads by Lunalux or The Happy Uterus underneath my clothes particularly for my shoulders to help keep headaches at bay.

The middle of the day is usually my best time of the day. Often I can take my Tap 2.0 TENS off and just make sure I eat a substantial lunch so I can get more anti inflammatories onboard and I love to treat myself with a sweet treat post lunch. I like to get in front of the sweet cravings before the afternoon or else I find I eat all the wrong things (not in moderation!) if I leave it to afternoon tea.

Just before picking up the kids I like to have a 10 minute feet up rest with a cup of tea to boost me up for the afternoon shift. I find this super important mentally not to run from work straight into family admin - keeps the stress levels down.

When 4/5pm comes round I am tired. But the day is not done. Pain is increasing so I put my Tap 2.0 TENS back on to support me through the rest of the evening. I like to try modes 3 & 4 to get the added benefits of endorphins but I do find if the pain is bad I need to switch to modes 1 & 2 for my personal preference of what works for me at different pain levels.

Once dinner is done, tomorrow's prep is finished and the kids are settled into bed I love to take a long hot shower with a fragrant shower steamer to tickle the senses followed by a face mask or decadent skin routine and make myself feel cared for - when caring for little ones it’s important to feel cared for too! An early night in bed is a must with my heat pack, Tap 2.0 TENS on, magnesium hot chocolate and the heated Soleiz sleeping mask to top it off.

Living with endometriosis means I can’t always control what my body throws at me, particularly in the days leading up to my period.

What I can control is how I support myself through it. For me, my toolkit is about listening to my body, slowing down when I need to, using heat and movement, asking for help and having my Tap 2.0 TENS close by when pain starts getting in the way. It doesn’t mean I have to stop my life every time my symptoms flare. Sometimes, it’s about giving my body a little extra support so I can keep doing the things that matter to me.

My luteal phase toolkit

-Tap 2.0 TENS

-Heat

-Gentle Movement

-Plenty of Fluids

-Protein & Nourishing Meals

-Rest and Recover

-Asking for help